The Cross-Sectional Study of attitudes towards risk factors of viral infections transmitted by blood-borne pathogens.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper was threefold: To assess risk factors of blood-borne pathogen exposure and viral infection for employees at their workplace, to spot the differences between groups of respondents without exposure and those exposed to blood-borne infections, and to identify main risk predictors. METHOD: The Cross-Sectional Study was conducted, surveying 203 employees, at the Institute for Emergency Medical Services in Serbia, which were eligible to enter the study and surveyed by Previously Developed Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 97.60% of respondents have perceived risk at their workplace, but there were low numbers of HIV, HbcAg, and Anti-HCV testing and poor percent of vaccination for hepatitis B. There were no statistically significant differences between spotted groups of respondents in their attitudes. Three variables were predictors: accidental usedneedle stick injuries (OR = 90.34; 95% CI, 8.79-928.03), contact with the blood of patientsthrough the skin (OR = 176.94; 95% CI, 24.95-1254.61), and the years of service (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-1.00). CONCLUSION: The significance of this study is that it points to a double risk, because not only health workers are endangered, but also citizens who receive first aid.

The Cross-Sectional Study of attitudes towards risk factors of viral infections transmitted by blood-borne pathogens / Estudo transversal das atitudes em relação aos fatores de risco para infecções virais transmitidas pelo sangue / Estudio cruzado sobre las actitudes hacia los factores del riesgo de las infecciones virales que se transmiten por la sangre

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this paper was threefold: To assess risk factors of blood-borne pathogen exposure and viral infection for employees at their workplace, to spot the differences between groups of respondents without exposure and those exposed to blood-borne infections, and to identify main risk predictors. Method: The Cross-Sectional Study was conducted, surveying 203 employees, at the Institute for Emergency Medical Services in Serbia, which were eligible to enter the study and surveyed by Previously Developed Questionnaire. Results: A total of 97.60% of respondents have perceived risk at their workplace, but there were low numbers of HIV, HbcAg, and Anti-HCV testing and poor percent of vaccination for hepatitis B. There were no statistically significant differences between spotted groups of respondents in their attitudes. Three variables were predictors: accidental usedneedle stick injuries (OR = 90.34; 95% CI, 8.79-928.03), contact with the blood of patientsthrough the skin (OR = 176.94; 95% CI, 24.95-1254.61), and the years of service (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-1.00). Conclusion: The significance of this study is that it points to a double risk, because not only health workers are endangered, but also citizens who receive first aid.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi triplo: avaliar os fatores de risco de exposição a patógenos transmitidos pelo sangue e infecções virais para funcionários no local de trabalho, perceber diferenças entre grupos de indivíduos que não foram expostos e aqueles que estavam expostos a infeções transmitidas pelo sangue e identificar os principais preditores de risco. Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, entrevistando 203 funcionários do Instituto de Assistência Médica de Emergência da Sérvia, que cumpriram as condições para fazer parte do estudo e foram entrevistados por meio de um questionário previamente elaborado. Resultados: Um total de 97,60% dos entrevistados percebeu risco em seu local de trabalho, mas houve um pequeno número de testes de HIV, HbcAg e Anti-HCV e um baixo percentual de vacinação contra hepatite B. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos observados de entrevistados em termos de suas atitudes. Três variáveis foram preditores: lesões acidentais da punção com agulha (OR = 90,34; 95% Cl, 8,79-928,03), contato com o sangue dos pacientes através da pele (OR = 176,94; 95% Cl, 24,95-1254,61) e tempo de serviço (OR = 0,92; 95% Cl, 0,86-1,00). Conclusão: O significado deste estudo é que indica um duplo risco, tendo em vista que não apenas os profissionais de saúde estão em risco, mas também os cidadãos que recebem primeiros socorros.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo fue triple: estimar los factores del riesgo de la exposición de los patógenos transmitidos por la sangre y infecciones virales para los empleados en el puesto de trabajo, advertir las diferencias de los grupos de los examinados que no fueron expuestos y los que fueron expuestos a las infecciones que se transmiten por la sangre e identificar los mayores predictores del riesgo. Método: Fue hecho el estudio de la sección, con una encuesta de 203 empleados en la Institución para los primeros auxilios de Serbia, que cumplieron las condiciones para ser la parte del estudio y encuestado a través del cuestionario. Resultados: Total de 97,60% de los examinados mostró el riesgo en su puesto de trabajo, pero existía el pequeño número de testes a VIH, HbcAg y Anti - HCV y bajo porciento de vacunación contra Hepatitis B. No hubo diferencias estadísticas significantes entre grupos reconocidos de los cuestionados según sus opiniones. Tres variables fueron los predictores: las lesiones de pinchazo con la aguja accidentales (OR = 90,34; 95% CI, 8,79-928,03), contacto con la sangre dentro de la piel (OR = 176,94; 95% CI, 24,95-1254,61) y experiencia laboral (OR = 0,92; 95%CI, 0,86-1,00). Conclusión: El significado de este estudio es lo que muestra riesgo doble, teniendo en la cuenta que no son amenazados solo los trabajadores sanitarios, sino y los ciudadanos que reciben primeros auxilios.

Giovanni Battista Monteggia (1762-1815).

Giovanni Battista Monteggia was born in Laverne on the 8th of August 1762. Monteggia started his education in the School of Surgery at the Hospital Maggiore in Milano in 1779.This hospital was called "Big House"and it is one of the oldest medical institutions in Italy. He passed exam in surgery in 1781. Monteggia was promoted to assistant at surgery in Maggiore hospital in 1790. He was among the first who gave a complete clinical description of polio. He described traumatic hip dislocation and special forearm fracture which was named after him. Strictly speaking, a Monteggia fracture is a fracture of the proximal third of the ulna with an anterior dislocation of the radial head. Monteggia became a member of the renewed Institute of Science, Literature and Art in Milano in 1813.

Open Dislocation of the High Ankle Joint After Fibular Graft Harvesting.

The free microvascular fibula and soft tissue transfer has become a widely used method for reconstruction of different regions. Donor site morbidity for free fibula microvascular flaps has generally been reported to be low, or at least acceptable. We describe the case of a patient who underwent vascularized free fibula graft harvest for mandibular reconstruction. After 21 months, he had sustained an open dislocation of the left high ankle joint during recreational sports activity. We did not found such case in the published data.

Fractures of the humerus during arm wrestling.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Humeral shaft fractures may occur as a result of arm wrestling. The aim of this study was to present our treatment of humerus fracture sustained during arm wrestling. METHODS: A total of six patients, aged 22 to 48, were treated at our department form January 2008 to January 2010 with open reduction and internal fixation and with hanging arm casts. A review of all the relevant literature on the subject was also presented. RESULTS: In all the cases, the fractures healed and function returned to normal. No patient had any neural or vascular compromise. CONCLUSION: Closed and operative treatments were equally successful in all reported cases.

Replantation of upper extremity, hand and digits.

Replantation is defined as reattachment of the part that has been completely amputated and there is no connection between the severed part and the patient. In Boston in 1962 Malt successfully replanted a completely amputated arm of a 12-year-old boy. Komatsu and Tamai reported the first successful replantation of an amputated digit by microvascular technique. There are no strict indications and contraindications for replantation. It's on surgeon to explain to the patient the chances of success of viability, expected function, length of operation, hospitalization and long rehabilitation protocol. Survival and useful function in replantation of upper extremity amputations is questionable. Success depends on microvascular anastomoses, but the final function is related with tendon, nerve, bone and joint repair.

Distal radius fractures--systematic review.

Distal radius fractures are an increasingly prevalent upper extremity injury, especially among elderly patients. They represent approximately 3% of all upper extremity injures. Severity of these fractures is directly related to bone mineral density of the patient, and clinical results are dependent on this parameter as well. There is a bimodal distribution of these injuries, with a peak between 18 to 25 years of age, predominantly male population and a second peak in the elderly, older than 65 years, predominantly female population. Early reports of fractures of the distal radius considered these fractures to be group of injuries with a relatively good prognosis irrespective of the treatment given. When it comes to complex fractures, regardless of the method applied, major or minor functional invalidity persists. With that in mind fractures of the distal radius are medical, social and economic problems of modern society.

Operative treatment of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures with Kirschner wire fixation--a review.

Although hand fractures are most common fractures treated in orthopedic practice, many practicians treat them as trivial injuries. Improperly managed they can cause consequences and impair hand function. Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures are classified based on geometry, anatomic localization and wound presence and treatment depend on mechanism of injury. Many of them can be treated nonoperatively with reposition and immobilization, but in some cases osteosynthesis is a method of choice. Surgeon can choose various range of fixation material, and choice depends on fracture type and surgeons affinity. Kirschner wire fixation is one of the most frequently used operative procedure for hand fracture treatment. It provides good stability, early mobilization and excellent functional result.

Fractures of the scaphoid, diagnosis and management--a review.

The scaphoid is vitally important for the proper mechanics of wrist function. Fracture of the scaphoid bone is the most common carpal fracture. Among all wrist injuries the incidence of scaphoid fracture is second only to fractures of the distal radius. Scaphoid fractures are significant because a delay in diagnosis can lead to a variety of adverse outcomes that include nonunion, delayed union, decreased grips strength, range of motion and osteoarthritis of the radiocarpal joint. To avoid missing this diagnosis, a high index of suspicion and a through history and physical examination are necessary, because initial radiographs are often negative. Regardless of the technique of bone grafting, there will almost always be some loss of motion even if the fracture unites.

Household environmental tobacco smoke and respiratory diseases among children in Nis (Serbia).

The authors investigated the relationship between household environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases as well as absenteeism related to respiratory illness in schoolchildren. The study sample consisted of 1,074 children aged 7-11 years from three primary schools in Nis (Serbia). ETS exposure was associated with wheezing (OR-1.48; 1.09-2.01), bronchitis (OR-1.66; 1.23-2.23), headache (OR-1.45; 1.08-1.95), and fatigue (OR-1.38; 1.02-1.85) in exposed children. The other risk factors with possible influences weren't assessed. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of physicians' visits as well as in absenteeism from school due to illness in children exposed to ETS in comparison to non exposed children. The tobacco smoke effect on children is an essential and urgent problem with life lasting negative health effects which are preventable.

Determination of lead and arsenic in tobacco and cigarettes: an important issue of public health.

Contents of lead and arsenic were determined in 617 tobacco samples and 80 samples of cigarettes. The mean content of lead in tobacco was 0.93 microg/g (range 0.02-8.56 microg/g) and arsenic was 0.15 microg/g (range < 0.02-2.04 microg/g). The mean content of lead in cigarettes was 1.26 microg/g (range 0.02-6.72 microg/g) and arsenic was 0.11 microg/g (range < 0.02-0.71 micro/g). There was a large variability in lead and arsenic content among samples of tobacco and samples of cigarettes. Positive correlation between lead and arsenic contents in tobacco was found (r = 0.22; p < 0.0001). Based on our data and data from literature we compare the content of lead and arsenic in tobacco and cigarettes in other studies and discuss the influence of smoking to lead and arsenic exposure and health. In conclusion, at the same time with the implementation of tobacco use prevention programmes it is advisable to implement continuous monitoring of lead and arsenic in tobacco and cigarettes in order to reduce the health risk due to exposure of these metals.

[Influence of air pollution on hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Nis, Serbia].

BACKGROUND/AIM: In studies that investigate the health effects of short-term air pollution exposure, population-wide changes in acute outcomes such as mortality, hospital admissions and healthcare visits are linked to short-term variations in ambient pollutant concentrations. The aim of this study was to estimate the association between daily outdoor black smoke and sulphur dioxide levels and hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Nis, within a period 2001-2005. METHODS: A time series analysis was performed using separated regression models for each pollutant and disease group, by age groups and population as a whole. The effects of copollutant, meteorological factors and cyclic oscillations in hospitalization numbers were controlled. RESULTS: A significant increase in hospital admissions was associated with a 10 microg/m3 increase in the concentration of black smoke, for cardiovascular diseases: 3.14% (< 0.01) in children and youth under 19 years of age, 1.85% (< 0.001) in 19-64 age group, and 0.84% (< 0.05) in all ages, and for respiratory diseases: 1.77% (< 0.05) in 19-64 age group, and 0.91% (< 0.05) in all ages. The effects on hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in children and youth under 19 years of age, and for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in the elderly were not statistically significant. The increase of sulphur dioxide level was associated with the increased number of hospitalizations, for both cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in all age groups, but the influence was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Outdoor pollutants concentrations in urban area of Nis were below regulated limit values during most of the investigated period days but it is shown that even such a level of pollution has a significant effect on hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Effects of traffic noise on sleep in an urban population.

Urban noise is an important environmental stressor, and sleep disturbance is its major health effect. Substantial inter-individual variance in these effects might partly be explained by different sensitivity to noise. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of urban noise on sleep and the relation between self-estimated sensitivity to noise and sleep disturbance. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was performed on 911 adult residents of Nis, Serbia, of whom 388 were men (42.6 %) and 523 women (57.4 %). The streets were regarded as noisy if night equivalent noise level (Leq) was higher than 45 dB(A) and quiet if night Leq was < or =45 dB(A). Noise sensitivity was measured with the Weinstein's Noise Sensitivity Scale. The study showed that respondents from noisy area significantly more often reported difficulty in falling asleep, being woken up, poor sleep quality, tiredness after sleep, and use of sleep medication than residents from quiet streets (p<0.001). Noise sensitivity significantly correlated with sleep disturbances (p<0.001).

Short-term association between air pollution and emergency room admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Nis, Serbia.

The present study assesses the short-term association between black smoke (BS) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels in urban air and the daily number of emergency room admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Nis, Serbia. Generalised linear models extending Poisson regression were fitted controlling for time trend, seasonal variations, days of the week, temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, precipitation, rainfall, snowfall, overcast, and wind velocity. The emergency room admissions for all ages for COPD were significantly associated with previous-day level of BS and lag 0-2 (1,60% and 2,26% increase per 10 microg/m3, respectively). After controlling for SO2, single lagged (lag 1 and lag 2) as well as mean lagged values of BS (up to lag 0-3) were significantly associated with COPD emergencies. No effect was found for SO2, even after controlling for black smoke. The present findings support the conclusion that current levels of ambient BS may have an effect on the respiratory health of susceptible persons.

[The influence of glycemia on the left ventricular diastolic function in patients with arterial hypertension].

INTRODUCTION: Arterial hypertension is a disease which has influence on the left ventricular diastolic function. It has been suggested that impairment of the left ventricular diastolic function in patients with diabetes mellitus is due to arterial hypertension and diffuse peripherial and coronary atherosclerosis which appear early in diabetic patients. Now, however, it is thought, that other mechanisms are responsable for the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of glycemia on the left ventricular diastolic function in patients with arterial hypertension. METHODS: The study included 60 patients with arterial hypertension: 30 (50.00%) patients with diabetes mellitus and 30 (50.00%) without diabetes mellitus. The parameters of diastolic function were measured by the pulsed Doppler echocardiographic technique. Isovolumetric relaxation time, deceleration time, maximum velocity of the early stage of ventricular filling, maximum velocity of the late stage of ventricular filling and the early/late stage of ventricular filling ratio were used to assess the diastolic function. RESULTS: The patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus compared to the patients with arterial hypertension without diabetes mellitus were significantly obese (p < 0.001), had significantly higher glycemia (p < 0.0001) and left atrial volume (p < 0.05). The patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus compared to the patients with arterial hypertension without diabetes mellitus had significantlly: longer deceleration time (p < 0.05), lower velocity of early stage of ventricular filling (p < 0.05) and lower early/late stage of ventricular filling ratio (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Diastolic function parameters of patients with diabetes mellitus are significantly changed: deceleration time is longer, early stage of ventricular filling and early/late ventricular filling ratio are lower.

[Left atrial size in patients with arterial hypertension].

INTRODUCTION: Left atrial size is increased in patients with arterial hypertension. Left atrial enlargement represents a risk factor of atrial fibrillation and stroke. Left atrial size depends on the effect of many other etiological factors, predominantly by body mass and the left ventricular mass. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the frequency of the left atrial enlargement in patients with arterial hypertension, in obese patients with arterial hypertension and in patients with arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, the aim was to investigate the influence of diastolic function parameters on the left atrial dimension. METHOD: The study included 93 patients with arterial hypertension (mean age of 46.9 +/- 9.7 years, 50.5% of males) and 33 healthy subjects (mean age 45.6 +/- 10.6 yrs., 40% of males) who consisted the control group. There was no statistical difference of the age and sex between patients and healthy persons. All patients were examined by the echocardiographic ultrasound device HP Sonos 2500 by three echosonographers. RESULTS: The patients with arterial hypertension compared to the control group had significantly higher: body mass index (27.8 +/- 4.1 versus 24.3 +/- 3.0) (p<0.001), the left ventricular mass (249.7 +/- 79.1 versus 174.6 +/- 47.7) (p<0.001), the left ventricular mass index (122.2 +/- 34.3 versus 96.7 +/- 20.9) (p<0.001) and the left atrium (3.8 +/- 0.7 versus 3.3 +/- 0.5) (p<0.001). The frequency of the left atrial enlargement in patients with arterial hypertension was 44.1%. The frequency of the left atrial enlargement in patients with arterial hypertension and the left ventricular hypertrophy was 53.3%, and in obese patients with arterial hypertension was 58.3%. Left ventricular diastolic function parameters in patients with arterial hypertension in relation to control exhibited statistically significant differences: isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) was longer (193.2 +/- 37.8 versus 175.8 +/- 23.6) (p<0.001), deceleration time (DT) was longer (193.2 +/- 37.8 versus 175.8 +/- 23.6) (p<0.01) and peak early diastolic filling wave velocity / peak atrial diastolic filling wave velocity ratio (E/A ratio) was lower (1.0 +/- 0.3 versus 1.2 +/- 0.3) (p<0.01). The quotient of linear correlation of the left ventricular diastolic function parameters in patients with arterial hypertension with left atrial volume did not show any significant correlation. CONCLUSION: The left atrial size was statistically bigger in patients with arterial hypertension in relation to healthy subjects. The biggest left atrial enlargement was in hypertensive patients with the left ventricular hypertrophy and obese hypertensive patients. Left ventricular diastolic function parameters in patients with arterial hypertension had no statistically significant influence on the left atrial size.